How did Governor Sir Arthur Gordon protect Fijian land rights under British rule?

As the first governor of Fiji following the islands' cession to Britain in 1874, Sir Arthur Gordon implemented specific policies to protect the interests of the indigenous population, viewing himself as their protector.12

To safeguard Fijian land rights, Gordon enacted a ban on the sale of native land. This policy was highly effective, and with few exceptions, the alienation of native land has remained prohibited since 1874. As a result, nearly nine-tenths of all land in Fiji has remained under Fijian ownership, held by mataqali (clan groups).123

Beyond land protection, Gordon’s administration supported the Fijian people by:
* Taxation: Requiring taxes to be paid in agricultural produce rather than cash, which helped maintain traditional lifestyles.12
* Indirect Rule: Governing through a system of indirect rule that utilized the existing traditional political structure.12

To balance these protections with the economic development of the colony, Gordon promoted the use of indentured Indian laborers for sugar plantations, ensuring that the local Fijian population was not forced into commercial or political developments that might undermine their traditional social structure.12